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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

PRODUCTION NOTE University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library Large-scale Digitization Project, 2007.

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NIVERSITY OF CHICAGO CENTER FOR INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS Alice R. Brooks, Librarian Service Bulletin Deoesber,

1947

Pub-•gl•ig'Rp'tp p 1jth of each month with the exception of August.. Annual subscription 75-. Vol.

I

S12

No.

1

Bannon, lACi4^ libl tiories and pictures by Laura Bannon. Houghton Mifflin; c1947. Gr. 2-4 $1.50 1 Teaching a lesson through a story is the most ancient of educational methods. But it can also present difficulties. If the leseon is too obvious, the child may reject it. If too subtle -- he may mis's the point, -- or even get the wrong one, This latter might be the case in "Baby Roo", although as a atory it has plenty of appeal. Here the goose and the pig accept the little -kangeroo because she has a penny in her pocket. It is true that the author tells the child that this is wrong, but actions speak louder than words sometimes and the story action here may outweigh'the brief refuting paragraph. We shall t-y this book with the kindergarten and report further. We miss the colorfulness of "Manuela's birthday" in the illustrations and some, of the animals, particularly the collie, could be better, although Roo has.real personality. Barlow, Ruth C. Lisbeth Holly; illus. by Rodolphe La Rivere, Dodd, Mead, c1947. 209 p. $2.50 Gr. 3-6. A family story of three children playing resourcefully in. the Michigan .dunes. Portrays well younger sister feelings. Except for the children'sconcern for the mysterious Mr. Jobe, there is no plot but rather a series of.pleasant summer episodes-. This is quite satisfactory except that the book may be long (209 p.) for the age of reader who likes this type of story rather than one with a sustaining plot. Caldwell, Cy. Henry Ford; illus. by Edd Ashe. IMesner, c1947. 246 p. $2.75 J & shs. Although this biography gets off to a 'low and labored start, it gains momentum'as did -the automobile industry. The portrait of Ford is unbiased, non-idealistic and shows his weird ideas and unfortunate en sieasm as ell as his business acumen. There .isuseful material.here., too, on the growth of machines vs. manpower, of mass production and the assemb.r line, and of the automobile indurstry.

Cook, Marion Belden, com.

Children of the U.S.A.

Silver Burdett Co. 1945i.

3 v, illus. $1.56 eapch. Gr. 4,7 v.1 - Stories from the east and north. v,2 -- Stories from the 'south.

v.3 -- Stories from the west

.

The editor has collected stories which tell how boys and girl live work anr play in all the states and principal territories. Authora are successful writers for children. Textbook format.

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Z1Be 197

Cross, John Keir. The other side of Green Hils; drawing by Robin Jacques. Coward-McCan; c1 946 190 p. Gr, 7. $2.50 Five children meet at an.old English country house for the Christmas holidays and strange happenings take them into the realm of the unknown. Not a book for the general reader. However, it is a book which may well catch the fancy of older girls, especially those with acute imaginations. Fishel, Dick. Terry and Bun play baseball; by Dick Fishel and Clair Hare; illus. by J. D. Warren. Putnam, c1947. 90 p. Gr. 3-5 $1.50

Terry and Bunky, the same likeable youngsters who learned to play football, now turn their interest to baseball. The simple style, clear print, and interesting subject matter make a book that is especially valuable for use with slow readers. The book has been reported as useful in remedial reading as high as the seventh grade. Rules for baseball: pp. 85-90. 3?7

Foster, Genevieve (Stump). Augustus Caesar's world; a story of ideas and events from B. C. 44 to 1 A. D.• illus. by the author. Scribner, c1947. 330 p. $3.50 j & s h s V -World, concepts; U - Latin - Study and teaehing; History, Anoient. The author has done an excellent job in recreating the world at five stages of Augustus Caesar's life in the same fashion as she has done previously for Washington and Lincoln. Although she terms this "history sliced horizontally" there is plenty of the "vertical" in it as well - both in restrospect and prospect. The second part is slower moving and more abstract so it may not absorb the young readers as much as the-first part. It is hoped that it will, for here is a simple statement of comparative religion and philosophy that should be comaon knowledge for us all. The format should be mentioned especially -325 pages of well-spaced text with many fine pictures, maps, floor plans and the five panoramas of people and events that the author uses to introduce each period. Gerber, Will. Gooseberry Jones; illus. by Dudley Morris. Putnam, c1947. $2.00 96 p. Gr. 3-5. V- Family relations; Value building. Recently dog stories have seemed to follow a definite pattern -- poor or middle clasp boy and runt dog vs. rich man with his kennels ful of thoroughbreds. Of course the runt wins all the honors. It is 'therefore, a surprise and a relief to find a story that breaks away from that pattern and, like the runt in other, tories, proves to be a winner in the field. Here*th conflict is between the boy, who loves dogs, and his mother, who is afraid of them. Gooseberry is a little Negro boy who almost lets his desire for a dog overshadow his love for is parents. His mother 'almost lets her aversion to dogs blind her to her son'e. ndeds. In the end twey work out a compromise ' that is wholly 'satisfactory. Th'se are characters who live and who will be as familiar to the reader as his owv parents, frinds and teachers. At first 1 afce the pictures may raise objectie6ii; however, theyrare not stereotypes but ase remarkably suited to the text,

Goodrum, John. Now you see t,i weic th anew tiset; writtea eM il.r John Goodrum., Didier, ol96* 1 9p. 2.50. All ages. A new book on magic is always ielocam to any library oolleotion one has a readable text and clear simple illustrations.

This

CH' Gronowwiz, Antoni. Gallant general Tadeusz KS6Soieko; Jacket and title page by Alien Pope. Scribner, c1947. 136 p. $2.50 j& s h s V -Demoratic understanding. S Military engineering. There is real drama in the life of this Polish military figgr who Sdivided his talents and devotions between the American- colonists and hise own long-suffering country. His engineering work in the Revolution, -especially in la y ing out the fortifications at West Point is not widely S•naown and so this book will be quite informing,.' Unfortunately, for some re&son hard to define, the narrative here seems to lack the vividness that Ssuch a life as Kosciuszko's merits. It is sincere and well-documented .but at . times seems labored. Yet because of its fresh material it will be a good buy. 'Harkins,

Philip.. .Touchdow

Tins . .Norrow,

c1947.

224 p., $2i50 J & s.-h s

S Two subsidized 'ollege football stars turn to pro-footballand learn that | they are no longer heroes but part of a well-organized business concern to Swhich they must give their efforts. The book emphasizes that one's vocation and one's private life cannot be separated. It teaches the importance of developing wise self-diredtion in combination with good team work. This book was read and evaluated by a former university football captain who found the football picture. uthentic and the ideas souid. The characters of the college coach and the editor of the college paper are possibly too black and white, however, they are subordinate to the oharacter-development±of the'tw * players which is the main theme of the book. - . Holding, Elizabeth Sanxay. Miss Kelly . Morrow, 01947. Some fifth grade children found. this a "good story". last month and we promised to report.

$2.00 Gr. 3-6 The book was listed

Hurd, Edith Thacher. Benny the bulldozer; illus. by Clement Hurd, L6throp, Lee and Shepard, -cl947. 32 p. $1.25 K-Gr. 3 '.A machine-age story for younger children, but it

rhythm and charm of "Mike Mulligan."

Certainly

.honest

seems to lack the

effort, should be

rewarded, but the idea of "getting mad". and-.hving to' be 6iaxed with promises every step'of the'way in doing ones legitimate work seems to be too highly too chracteristicl of its-reader at that emphasized in this book. Also a little age. Jones, Elizabeth Orton,

Gr. 2-w5

i

Susan.

Macmillan, c1947.

82 p.

illus.

*

$2.00

This 'is the best.doll story since "Kitty" chronicled her eventftl 100 years.

The story is told entirely f~ro the point of view of the Doll family which fnlV steps out of character except for Christmas eve when all come alive. How they use those precious exciting hours and what happens Christmas morning make a charming story that adults, too, will find absorbiig. The illustrattons, al in doll perspective, are among Miss Jones' best. Kennell, Ruth Epperson. Adventue;n :Russia; the ghost of Kirghtsia; ille^, by ' ••• E p. p. $."5 $2i50 G •-5-8 588 193i7. 96 John C. Wonsetler.. Messner, Children will probably enjoy this more as a horse tory than as a of modern Russia. However, it does give a good, though not detailed, viewL 1 i

of life in present-day Russia and an idea of the many different types of people and ways of life that make up that country. Third title in the "Adventure" series. The other two are Adventure in Palestine and Adventure in uisi.

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Long, iEla.

Faraay holiday; illus. by the author. Morrow, c1947.

63 p. $2.00

V - Older - younger child relations.

Although Lupe is a little Mexican girl, her impulses and desires to "help", to "participate" in the older girls' activities are coamon to -any child of her age anywhere. Her learning by bitter experience is also frequently. shared. Only the activities and background are different and can be understood by the beginning reader. 24 point type. L

Longstreth, Thomas Morris.. Hide-out, Macmillan, -l947. ,233 p. $2.50 Gr. 7-9 ... The struggle between the stage-ocach and the railroad' is.vividly portrayed in the effect it has on the life of Reuben Downs, a young boy of Concord. The story depends too much on coincidence in getting Reuben into and out of. trouble. It is, however, a good picture of Concord at a crucial point in its existence, and of such people as Thoreau and Emerson. Should be of value as supplementary reading for social studies classes to show the need for accepting and adjusting to progress. Lothrop, Lee and Shepard Co., Publishers. The Lothrup baby books. 75 each Washable plastic books recommended for "babies" 6 months to 3 years. A remarkable experiment in hygenip books but there are certain drawbacks -• the odor is rather overpowering, the colors a little bilious and ,the pictures not always clear. The "toy" virtues seem to outweigh the "book" Virtues. By the time the child reaches a suitable age for some of the contents he should have progressed beyond the book-chewing stage. Titles; "Baby's animal book", "Baby's own book of familiar objects", "Baby's nursery rhymes". MacBean, Dilla W., comp.

Picturebok dictionary.

Children's press, c1946.

16 p. 10 -K-gr. 2 The most elementary of the picture dictionaries.. It serves in the reading readiness program and to give the 'child early experience with the orderly arrangement of "reference" material. A second dictionary will be published in the spting as part of the "Star-Bright" series. Ihncientally a large number of copies are being sent to Japan to be used by Elizabeth Gray Vining 'in her teaching program. Paper bound, so for individual use rather than library use. McFarlane, 32 p.

John W. It's easy to fix your bike. Gr. 7 -

Wilcox & Follett, c1947.

$1.00

Not a book for the general collection - binding too flimsy, subject too limited. Will be useful for manual'training .olasses, Scout groups and bike clubs. McKean, Else. Uphill; with illus. by the author; introduction by Anne Coolida Moore and Edward W. Moore. Shady Hill Press, c1947. 63 p. $2.00 Gr. 4-9 A companion volume to "Our Negro brother", which presented the negro in American history. This book contains biographies ~f.6 Negroes who are doing important work in the world today. the .biographies are very brief and the style simple although not childish. Could be used with adult who is a poor reader.

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Malcolmson, Anne (Burnett) ed. Song of Rob2n Xood; music arranged by .Grace Castagnetta; designed and illus. by Virginia Lee Burton. Houghton Mifflin, f7i s c1947. 123 p. $5.00 J & a h s. Eighteen Robin Hood adventures in ballad form with somewhat modernized language and spelling. This is a beautifully designed and edited book ith illustrations that impress at first by the amount of work they represent and then later by their matchless interpretation of each stanza of the ballads. They are almost like a film strip down-the side of each page, The print is very small. We believe (and with evidence) that this book is more effective when a child or group of children is personally introduced to it or as one 5th grade boy said, "when the story is read first and then the ballad." It is a book to be cherished because of its fine craftsmanship or to be shared• It will appeal more strongly at first to the adolescent or adult and can be used effectively in the study of the ballad. Fourteen of the ballads have musical accompaniments that integrate music and literature nicely. Metcalfe, June M. Aluminum from mine to sky. Whittlesey house, 1947. 128 p. illus. $2.50 j & s h s "An informal biography of the metal that nature forgot to finish." The author tells interestingly of the years of experimenting, the personalities involved, and gives a complete description of mining of bauxite, the making of aluminum and the many uses to which it has been put. Book should be useful both as class material and free reading. Pistorius, Anna. What animal is it? Wilcox & Follett, c1947. 24 p. 6-10 yrs. illus. $1.00 SA companion volume to What bird is it? Twenty-six animals pictured with brief text describing habitat and some outstanding feature.; May be used as a game book for nature study classes. Potter, Miriam (Clark) Hello, Mrs. Goose! Lippincott, c1947. 150 p. $2.00 Gr. 2-4 Further ridicAlous adventures of this highly personified and traditionaly foolish goose in whibh she becomes as hopelessly involved as the famous Peterkins. Each chapter is a separate episode that will be fun to read aloud, "A quiet Balloveen" and "Don't open till Christmas" will be acceptable at ,the appropriate seasons. Previous books are "Mrs. Goose and the three ducks," an "Mrs. Goose of Animal-town." Decision to buy can be based on popularity and usefulness of previous titles. Price Olive M. Miracle by the sea; illus by Addison Burbank. Whittlesy c1947 136 p. $2.00 Gr. 4-7 The closing year of Christ's life is presented through the story of a 12* year-old boy of Capernum. Jesus only actually appears once in the story lena Be takes Jeremy's loaves and fishes to feed the multitude, but -ieseffect is seen everywhere and Hi, deeds and words are the main topics of conversation. The book has an exciting plot and two special 8erits -- its pieture of %rPiete' in 30 A. D. and the way it weaves the ressive Bile story the life f peoples

Quiz Kids. The uiz Kids' book; stories and poems chosen by the Quiz Kids; illus. by Richard Dawson, Viking, c1947. 372 p. $2.50 gr. 3-9 U * Reading aloud; Discussion; Reading guidance. An anthology of excerpts from new stories, old stories and a wide range of poems selected as favorites by the Quiz Kids. Scattered through are some of their comments on their choices. It is a good anthology, if quite miscellaneous and of wide age range. It is, however, no substitute for the original books but rather a good introduction to them after the magical name "Quiz Kids" has "sold" this book to a group. It caught a fifth grader's eye out of all the books in the, Center and she carried it off to share with her grade. That is an effective way it can be used, with the teacher or librarian guiding the groups to the various books after some "read-aloud" and discussion activities. Reine, Alice. Eagle of Guatemala, Justo Rufino Barrios. Harcourt, Brace, cl947. 227 p. $2.50 Gr. 6-8 A very readable :blography of Justo Rufino Barrios, soldier and statesman, who freed his country from dictatorship.and laid'the foundation for the enlightened progressive country she is today. The character of, Brrios is somewhat glorified and.his mistakes are glossed over. However, the book lias value in shoving the growth of an ideal within a man and how he works to achieve it. , Riedman, Sarah R. How man discovered his body; illus. by Frances Wells. InternatiQnal publishers, cl97T. 1128 p, $2.25 (A young world book) J & she The complete story of physiology and the growth of all knowledge about our bodies is well presented by a professor of Physiology at Brooklyn College. It is not a long book and the chapters seem brief, yet each one is full of unusual information told in a way that will be clear and interesting to7yOung people. It will also increase respect for the scientific method. Cartoon-like pictures and diagrams enhance the text. Rigby, Douglas.

Mustachio;j

1-4* $1.50 Gr1.

llua. by Roger Duvoisin.

Harper, c1947.

29 p.

How Monsieur Jambon and-his little dog, Mustachio, distinguisl themselves on a wild boar hunt. It is a story cut on the folk pattern of "weak ones prevailing" that children never fail to.respond to. They will like Duvoisin's humorous pictures, too, especially the ones with all the dogs. Rowlands, John J. B Henry B. Kane.

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Cache Lake Country; V. W. Norton.

272 p.

life in the North Woods; $3.50

ilius, by

s h s

Not exactly a book for children but for all lovers of nature -- particularly nature in the deep woods farfrom civilization. The author has described his life and the life of all living things for a year spent on a beautiful lake i It is a rambling; conversational style that skips here and the North Woods. there just as a true woodsman's eyes would dart about. The noted naturalistmarginal artist, Henry B. Kane, has collaborated with hundreds of little sketches, full page pictures and diagrams of a woegaman's- eqipment. The pictures are an education in themselves. A good gift for an out-of-doors person.

Scott, Judith Unger. Lessons in loveliness. illus. by Chas. Bolan. McCrae-Smith, o1947. 208 p. $2.*50• & h s' After cutting though an effusive ptyle with an overdose of "you" of glamourized terms and forced similes, this book gets down to sound a4vio. on health, beauty routines, makeup, hair-dosi clothes and poise. The directions are especially good because they are not too time-consuming in this busy lifet Poor proof-reading in one of two spots; e.g. bottom of p. 108. Skaar, Grace. All about dogs. dogs, dogs, Scott, c1947. 17 p. $1.00. Nothing but cats, cats, cats. Scott, cl947. 19 p. $1.00. Presphool Unsubstantial bindings will keep these from being as useful to library collections as they should be. The subjects will appeal to children., Large letters, simple words, and repetition will be useful for the beginning reader. Schneider, Herman. Now try this.; by Herman and Nina Schneider; pictures by S Bill Ballantine. Soott, o1947. 40 p. $1.50 Gr. 2-4 "? d A second "Let's find out" picture-science book. Simple explanations of how things are moved. Experiments need materials found around any home. Clear. easy to read type. Amusing illustrations. Tresselt, Alvin. White snow. briLht snowj illus. by Roger Duvoisin. Lothrop, Lee & Shepard, c1947, 32 p0. 4-8 yr. .$2.00 7cyz The varying effects of the first snowfall on everyone and ,everything are vividly described in rhythmic text and unusually fine pictures. Even though the text and pictures occasionally become intermingled and sno flakes may impede the progress of the beginning reader in few oases, we are still enthusiastic. Trevor- Elleston.

Deep wood;'illus. by Stephen Voorhies.

c1947. 282 p. Gr. 5-7 .$2 .o

mLo ans, Green,

The animal characters here drebs, talk and act like friendly people in a small community somewhat in the style of Grahame's immortal classic. It is possible that Trevor's picturesque but rather rambling style will not have sufficient action for most young readers. Perhaps this is a minor point but it is puzzling to find occasional remarks like, these "the fresh new wood had lain seasoning for many days..." (p,. 9) and'tbe gusts becae more frequent ard the quieter periods between were4long0..." (p.. 59). Urmaton, Mary. SBet~y.ad the prou, house; illus. by Grace Paull, oubleeda, 179 p. $2.00 Gr. 3-5 V- Family relations; group participation.

Betsy starts the summer feeling that heicarnot live through best friend. She soon discovers, however, that. there is-great fun to a gang -- espeb ally when it is a gang liberally sprinkled with ah excellent book to help a. child Iroaden his interests in people. story it will be read with little r no persuasion. Webb, Marian.A.

Games for younger children.

K - Gr. 2

Mrrow, c1947.

it without her in b'elogino dogs. Thidis Being & dog

124 p.

$2,00

A collection of simple ames for younger children. In addition~ tthe games there are sUgestions for holiday and birthday parties.. Bibliogaphy of songs, stories and poems at end.

- 8Sg,7 Zim Herbert Spencer. Goldfish; pictures by Joy Buba. Morrow, c1947. 60 p. $2.00 Gr. 2-5 Like the other Zim books this is excellent material for schools and personal col.ct:Loion:, .Laze- tyi, easy sentepces, clear illustrations•• ak a book eirve the brgin6..ng reader can use..

SOURCES AND AIDS FOR ADT.LTS: Arbuthnot, May Hill,. il d books, Scott, Foresman, c1947. 626 p. $3.60 A new text book for children's literature classes. Deals with the history of children's literature, all types of books for childreh, and "suggestions for

the use of these different types, in classroom and library, A disproportionately large' amount of space is given to poetry and choral work. This is admittedly an important field, but should not be stressed to the detriment of other, types of literature. The comments on individual titles are critical and evaluative rather than summaries of the stories and will, therefore/ be quite helpful to teachers and librarians. The suggestions as to methods of presenting ballads . and folk lore are especially good. The broken-column arrangement is .por and the reproduction of illustrations from children's books are mediocre. The text,- however, is sufficiently, well done that it can be recommended not only for children's literature clasdes but for all persons working with children and books. California Library Association. Section for work with boys and girls. .Christmas life savers. 1946. An excellent listing of chapters with Christmas atmosphere. Books are usually found in libraries. Curtis, Agnes,. Special day plays Anderson Indiana, Warner press, 1947.. Contents: Plays for New Years, Easter, Children's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas.

50

Meet the soiencee; a booklist for the general. reader. Prepared by the Soienoe committee of New Jersey Library:,Association. 1947. 6 p. s he' Individual copiel .10, less for quantities. Order from: Marian O. Maney, Distribution Chairman. The New Jersey Library Assooiation. 34 Coinerce St. Newark 2, N. J. Millen, Ninae. Children and their pets around the vwld. (Paintings and stories perts·ning to them for children 4-6 yrs.) Friendship press, 156 5th Ave., New York City 10. $1.00 Practical Home economioce.

Section 2:

Combined coupon book and listing

service. 30 j. 468' 4th Ave., New York City. Here is the way to' develop your. home economics collection, especially in the matter of free and inexpensive materials. "See & Hear", Septebiber, 1947. Annual fall inventory of materials.: 812 N. Dearborn St., Chicago 10. (Newv ltas, film a.trips, radio,and reoordintg..guie,

evw Audio-Visual maps)

S9. C2ISTMAS BOOKS Once there wa a king; a tournament of stories.

Alden, Raymond Maodonald. Bobbs-Merril:.. 1946.

Coatsworth, Eli.abtth. 01947~

$2.00

pp13o.-30.

1pf, S5

Up hill adown; ido llus. by James H. Davis.

pp. 91-113.

$2.50

Cresei, Pc~ohita.

Gift of the earth, Scribnr, 1946.

$1.25.

Cramptcrn Gertrude, comp. The golden Christas book ilue. by Corinne Malve-'i; stories, songs, poems, riddles, and things to do for Christmas. Simon & Schuster, 1947. $1.50. Hoffmann, Eleanor.

The four friends; illus, by Kurt Wiese.

yi

Macmillan, 1946.

$2.00. Jones, Elizabeth Orton,

Big Susan. Maoaialan, 1947.

$2.00.

Jones, Jessie Orton, ed. A little chld; the Chriftmas miracle told in

Bible verses; illus, by Elizabeth Orton Jones, In pageant form for church or aohool groups.

Lathrop, Dorothy P. An anl in the • Politi, Leo.

Pedros the angel of'1ver

•wod. Ma Stet.

Viking, 1946.

an, 1947.

>3

$2.00. 0

,

$2.00.

Scribner, 1946.

$1.75

Provines, Mary Virginia. Liz 'beth Ann's goat; ius. by Gree Paull. Viking, 1947. $2.00. Self, Margaret Cabell. "The thirteen little Santa Clauses" in Chitter bat stories; illus. by Virginia Grilley. Dutton, 1946 pp. 63-72. 1.75.

Seymour, Alta Halversoa. $1.00.

Vance, Marguerite. Dutton, 1946. Yates, Elizabeth.

1947.

$2.00.

A

a

for Christma.

While shepherds watched; illu.

Westaminter preess,

by Nedda Walker.

$,00. One in the yeai llus. by Nor

946

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